Automatic jacking system for an automotive vehicle

Abstract

An automatic jacking system for automotive vehicles includes four sculpe jacks hingably mounted to the frame of the vehicle adjacent the vehicle wheels and hydraulic and electrical lines that communicate with the jacks for operating and controlling the jacks. The hydraulic lines couple the jacks to a fluid reservoir and pump of the hydraulic system, and the electrical lines extend from individual solenoids mounted on each jack to a control panel wherein an in-line fuse is disposed between the solenoids and the control panel switches for that jack and wheel. The control panel also includes a pressure switch for locking each jack in place, and each jack has an associated leak detection sensor that communicates with the control panel switch associated with that jack so that detection of a leak will cause the control panel switch for that jack to blink on and off thereby alerting the individual of a dangerous condition.

Description

[0001]The present invention pertains to automatic jacking systems, and more particularly pertains to a motor vehicle jack system for selectively and independently raising the vehicle wheels for tire replacement and changing.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Of the many mishaps that can occur to an automotive vehicle, sustaining a flat tire is one of the most exasperating and potentially dangerous as anyone knows that has ever attempted a roadside tire changing and repair. The laborious process of changing a damaged or flat tire includes jacking up the vehicle, unbolting the lug nuts that mount the tire to the wheel boss, removing the tire, replacing the damaged or flat tire with a good tire, remounting and correctly and firmly tightening the lug nuts, lowering the tire on the jack and then removing the jack for storage. However, as is well known, many motorists have little mechanical skills and are hesitant to attempt to undertake a potentially difficult mechanical action for which t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The present invention comprehends an automatic hydraulic jacking system for raising and lowering an automotive vehicle so that tire changing and repair can be accomplished in a safe, efficient and relatively quick manner.

[0016]It is an objective of the present invention to provide an automatic hydraulic jacking system for a motor vehicle that allows the motorist to change a vehicle tire in a dangerous area or during inclement weather in an easy and efficient manner.

[0017]It is another objective of the present invention to provide an automatic hydraulic jacking system for a motor vehicle that allows the individual to automatically raise the vehicle from a dashboard mounted control panel.

[0018]It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an automatic jacking system for a motor vehicle that eliminates the need for cumbersome, difficult-to-use standard auto jacks.

[0019]It is still yet another objective of the present invention to provide an automatic jacking system for a motor vehicle that completely eliminates the messy process of manually jacking up a motor vehicle.

[0021]Still yet a further objective of the present invention is to provide an automatic jacking system for a motor vehicle that allows the individual to quickly and safely raise and lower the motor vehicle thereby facilitating the efficient process of changing a vehicle tire.

Problems solved by technology

Of the many mishaps that can occur to an automotive vehicle, sustaining a flat tire is one of the most exasperating and potentially dangerous as anyone knows that has ever attempted a roadside tire changing and repair.

The laborious process of changing a damaged or flat tire includes jacking up the vehicle, unbolting the lug nuts that mount the tire to the wheel boss, removing the tire, replacing the damaged or flat tire with a good tire, remounting and correctly and firmly tightening the lug nuts, lowering the tire on the jack and then removing the jack for storage.

However, as is well known, many motorists have little mechanical skills and are hesitant to attempt to undertake a potentially difficult mechanical action for which they have no preparation for and often in difficult conditions or dangerous locations.

Moreover, even if the individual decides to change the tire, difficulties may be encountered in operating a jack that the individual is wholly unfamiliar with or in straining to remove lug nuts that have been overtorqued in mounting or have corroded to the point that they cannot be manually removed from the studs.

Finally, it is usually the case that a flat tire occurs at the most inopportune time or the most dangerous condition, such as on a major highway during morning rush hour or during a driving thunderstorm or on a road without a berm thereby preventing the vehicle from being safely moved off the road.

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